HARRISBURG, Pa.
(CNS)—Father Michael Depcik, an
Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, knows full well the challenges of catechizing
and tending to the spiritual needs of deaf Catholics.

He is one of only six "culturally deaf" priests in the United States.
Culturally deaf people are those who are born deaf or who become deaf early in
life. They rely primarily on sign language to communicate.

In late June Father Depcik visited the Diocese of Harrisburg to lead a prayer
day for deaf Catholics and celebrate Mass in American Sign Language at St.
Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg.

"Deaf people grow up not really understanding their faith, not really
understanding their relationship with God," Father Depcik said in an interview with The Catholic Witness, Harrisburg's diocesan
newspaper. He was assisted by sign-language interpreter Ginny Duncan, director
of the diocesan disabilities ministries office.

"For example, most deaf kids are born to hearing parents who can't
sign," he said. "How do we expect them to learn their faith when it's
inaccessible to them in many cases?"

Father Depcik, who ministers to
deaf Catholics in the Archdiocese of Chicago and is a member of the National
Catholic Office for the Deaf and the International Catholic Deaf Association,
reaches out to deaf people through retreats such as the one held at the Cardinal Keeler Center
June 27.

The day featured two presentations, the sacrament of reconciliation and
Mass—all offered in American Sign Language.

"They probably get more today than they do in their whole lives because
they've missed so much," Father Depcik
said of those in attendance. He noted his great admiration for those deaf
Catholics who continue to attend Mass and practice the faith, even though they
may not fully understand it.

The retreat focused on saints
and their example for Catholics today.

"I want people to leave here knowing that God loves us, and God wants us
to be with him," Father Depcik
said. "God gives us the church and different means to have a relationship
with him."

On June 28, the priest celebrated Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral for both the
deaf and hearing communities. The parish is one of several in the diocese that
offers sign-language interpretation of Masses. Its pastor, Father Thomas
Rozman, has been studying American Sign Language at Gallaudet
University in Washington, which offers education and
career development for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Father Rozman and Duncan offered voice interpretation during the Mass.

Father Depcik focused his homily
on everyday miracles and on the call to care for one another.

"We can make a difference through prayer. If a person is sick, bring them
soup. Visit them. That makes a difference. That's a miracle," he said.
"If we don't pray for people and don't take care of each other, the world
will become so different."

Father Depcik, 39, said that
upon his ordination in 2000, he was concerned not about the challenges of being
a deaf priest, but about the attitudinal barriers that people often place on
those who are deaf.

"There is still a feeling that deaf people can't do things, that doors are
closed. But really, deaf people can do anything," he said.

"I'm interested in seeing more commitment from the church and the services
for the deaf," he said. "Priests learning to sign and serve deaf
Catholics is so wonderful."

He said he is impressed with the Harrisburg Diocese and Bishop Kevin C.
Rhoades, who understood the need for Father Rozman to learn sign language.

Father Rozman said the program offers "complete immersion not just into a
language, but into a culture." He completed some courses July 1 at
Gallaudet and was to return to the university July 19.

"Evangelization is very important, and we need to get the message through
to everyone," he said. "The deaf Catholic community is a significant
part of the church. We need to help them realize that they belong to the church
and are a part of the family."